Julian Russell/Staff photographer
Madbury Town Moderator Dick Houghton explains the voting process to a first-grade class from Moharimet Elementary School during a mock election at the Madbury Town Hall on Monday.

MADBURY — “Good morning everyone! Are you ready to vote?”

Town Moderator Dick Houghton greeted a group of Moharimet Elementary School first-graders who had arrived at Town Hall Monday morning ready to cast their votes in a schoolwide mock election.

Students of Moharimet School had the opportunity Monday to cast their votes just as their parents will today in the General Election.

Stepping up to the voting booths behind red, white and blue curtains and stepping up onto small stepstools to reach the countertop, each student took a moment to check off their candidate choice on a ballot featuring pictures of President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

Students have spent time learning about the three branches of government, the president, and the voting and election process as part of their curriculum.

Every 15 minutes a group of students arrived at Town Hall accompanied by their teachers and were greeted by Houghton who gave them a rundown of the voting process, answered any questions they may have had and thanked them for exercising their future right to vote.

“They're very serious,” he said.

The Town Hall was set up for voting a day early, he said, ready to hand out “I voted” stickers to the youths as they departed.

Principal Dennis Harrington said the activity Monday was a good opportunity for the students, many of whom in just two more voting cycles will be able to cast actual ballots.

“You can read about how the process takes place but it is so different when you get to experience it,” he said.

“We are lucky to have a peaceful process where people vote,” he said, noting that many times, simply turning on the television and seeing what other countries have to go through when changing renewing leadership can be an eye-opener.

The students came prepared Monday to vote based on what they had studied through their classes and Brain Pop, a research site for children.

By the end of the school day, the official count was in: Obama, 271 votes and Romney, 100.

Third-grader Elise Wollheim, 9, said she voted for Obama because she things he's doing a good job and deserves four more years to continue his work. That, and he's got good style, she said.

“I really, really like his hair,” Elise said.

Students had a lot of reasons why they chose the candidate they did, and, for some, they focused on what each candidate would do for students like them.

At least one student pointed out that Romney's idea to take away school vacation was not something she and her friends would be on board with.

Students paid attention not just to the issues the candidates spoke about, but also the choices they were making for the country.

Third-grader Sophia Calzone, 9, said she was voting for Obama because she feels he makes a lot of good choices.

“He helps kids learn and gives a lot of people jobs,” she said.

Third-grader, Charlotte Merritt, 8, also thought Obama should have another four years in office to continue his work as a “good president.”

“He's making it easier for kids to go to school,” she said.

And for some, the choice of who should run the country following today's election hit a little closer to home than just the politics.

Third-grader and dog lover Addie Berglund, 8, said she was choosing Obama for one very simple reason.

“Because Romney put his dog on the roof (of his car),” she said.

Click image to enlarge

Julian Russell/Staff photographer
A first-grader from Moharimet Elementary School fills out a ballot during a mock election at Madbury Town Hall on Monday.

Click image to enlarge

Julian Russell/Staff photographer
Finn Henderson, a first-grader at Moharimet Elementary School, signs in to vote during a mock election at Madbury Town Hall on Monday.

Click image to enlarge

Julian Russell/Staff photographer
Finn Henderson, a first-grader at Moharimet Elementary School, turns in his ballot to Town Moderator Dick Houghton during a mock election at Madbury Town Hall on Monday.